title: Get Tested Why Not? A novel approach to internet-based chlamydia and gonorrhea testing in Canada.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the Get Tested Why Not campaign is to increase access to chlamydia and gonorrhea testing and sexual health information, with specific focus on youth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals between the ages of 15-29 are most affected by chlamydia and gonorrhea infections in Ottawa and were identified as the target population. Youth from the target population were engaged in the development and launch of the campaign.
  
  
  METHODS
  Development of the campaign began in 2009 and led to a launch on March 21, 2011. Social media promotion as well as traditional advertising approaches developed awareness of the campaign within the target population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The campaign consists of a bilingual, youth-friendly website and texting service. After assessing appropriateness of testing, clients can download a requisition form for urine-based chlamydia and gonorrhea testing and submit a sample at one of 26 laboratories across Ottawa.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During year 1 of the campaign, there were 13,385 website hits and 104 specimens submitted for chlamydia and gonorrhea testing. The majority (57.6%, n=60) of requisitions were submitted by members of the target population (age 15-29). Of the requisitions submitted, 95 (91.3%) were negative, 4 (3.9%) were positive and 5 (4.8%) were cancelled due to lab errors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The campaign is reaching the target population and has demonstrated a positive impact on knowledge and intended behaviours of users. The use of technology has expanded testing options, thereby potentially broadening Ottawa Public Health's reach to clients who may be less likely to test through traditional testing approaches.
authors.affiliation: Ottawa Public Health, Ottawa, ON, Canada. tara.mann@ottawa.ca
authors.forename: Tara A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Zhaida
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Uddin
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hendriks
authors.forename: Christiane J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Bouchard
authors.forename: Vera G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Etches
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Sexually transmitted diseases; adolescent; health promotion; internet; public health